The Religous Favor Torture

I think there is an alarming number of people that would impress their will upon others, and go to any length to justify their actions. It’s the self-righteous that have no problem breaking their own god’s laws to force their agenda. They believe that in order to pursue the evil doers, you must step away from god. This alarming study would seem to validate my theory.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey.More than half of people who attend services at least once a week -- 54 percent -- said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is "often" or "sometimes" justified. Only 42 percent of people who "seldom or never" go to services agreed, according the analysis released Wednesday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.White evangelical Protestants were the religious group most likely to say torture is often or sometimes justified -- more than six in 10 supported it. People unaffiliated with any religious organization were least likely to back it. Only four in 10 of them did.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/30/religion.torture/index.html

I had the opportunity to listen to some talk radio this week, and I heard a caller ranting about how other countries still torture their captives. He went on about how the North Vietnamese tortured our POWs back in the day, etc. As I listened to the caller’s thick country twang, I wondered if his mother ever told him, “Just because the other kids do it doesn’t make it ok for you to do it too.” Or, “If all the other kids jumped off a cliff would you do it too?” (This particular caller may have.)

I heard another caller say that the ‘water boarding’ that we did to the prisoners in Guantanamo was a ‘light’ form of torture, so it should be justified.

Also, evidence suggests that torture does not work. The intelligence gathered through torture is known to be faulty.

Some people just don’t get it. Torture is illegal, by the Geneva Convention. For our leaders to issue memoranda that essentially gave the green light to GITMO to engage in any kind of torture is reprehensible and the responsible parties should face war crime prosecution. It’s just another case that serves as an example of how the Bush administration approached matters in a totalitarian manner without regard to legality, human rights, or foreign relations. I’m so glad we got that party out of power.

Bush Lied

Well it's official now. Most of us knew that the Bush administration used the September 11 attack as an excuse to invade Iraq. Bush had personal reasons including greed for power and money/oil. Now there is the release of a senate investigation report stating Sadaam had no ties with Al Qa'ida. I knew it!
I feel sorry for our troops that died because Bush lied. This has me infuriated. It is my opinion that the power hungry right wing administration is who the terrorists hate, not Americans. I would be willing to bet that if Bush was not in office there would have been no 9/11 attack.
As a veteran I can't help but imagine the betrayal felt by the soldiers fighting in Iraq. When news of this senate report reaches the rank and file troops there will most certainly be an uproar. They have been told that they are fighting terrorism and making America safe. Now they know the truth that they are just pawns in baby Bush's tantrum. We need to impeach this president to show the world that Americans are not war mongering tyrants. We got duped. This pisses me off.

Statue of WHAT?

No, this $260,000 symbolic statement does not offend me. I'm not offended by this grandiose expression of one’s worldview. I find it rather amusing. People really believe that the United States was founded on Christian principles. The name of the idol is The Statue of Liberation Through Jesus Christ. That is funny to me. Our founders were escaping Tyranny and Religious Persecution when they came to America. I’ve learned by reading up on this news story, the original Statue of Liberty has been copied and altered in many other countries. So it’s not a particularly original idea. I would probably erect a much less expensive and not so grandiose statue and name it The Statue of Liberation From Jesus Christ. I would claim that it is a reminder to me that my fore fathers and my father’s father, and my father have fought to keep this country free from religious persecution.

The framers of the Constitution fought amongst themselves while deciding what exact words would attract people of all religions to agree on matters of law and government. They were very careful not to embed any symbolism of religious nature in their document. I think if anyone had suggested that we found this country on one religion’s set of ideals, Ben Franklin would have politely asked you to reconsider.

Amusing. Yes, I do hope no one gets too offended by the actions of Americans expressing their opinion. I will fight to the death defending the right of a man to erect a statue that states anything he wants it to, even if I disagree with most of it.

Article Fer It Article Agen It ‘nother good article

Fugitive Polygamist or Persecuted Prophet?

The meek and humble Warren Jeffs was abducted from the privacy of his car and taken into custody for carrying on his fathers calling to the lord. Thousands of people have been dependant upon Jeffs to tell them what to believe and how to worship. The entire community is deeply affected by his incarceration. Prayer services and protest rallies are planned and we can expect to hear more on this story as it develops.

It is common knowledge that the fundamental Mormon sect (FLDS) has practiced polygamy for many generations. What we sane people consider perverted or just plain wacko is normal and expected behavior in their community. Warren Jeffs didn’t go out and prey on victims and create his following through charismatic leadership. He inherited it. Jeffs was raised in that lifestyle. To him, the world was evil and his flock threatened by outside persecutors. He tried to protect the children from learning anything that would take their interest away from the lord and their salvation. They have been instructed not to answer the door to any strangers. No outside music. No unapproved literature. Absolutely no TV. There are great dangers to religion in the secular world around them.

Rumor has it that Jeffs had 40 wives. Now that is impressive. I don’t think I would want more than about 10. Hugh Hefner only has 7 (girlfriends, not wives that would be illegal). But in a society like the one Warren Jeffs ruled over, your status as a man is judged on how big your family is. Their families are very structured. Everyone has a job to do. Small children are given the responsibility to look after smaller children. I believe this kind of society would cause young adults to mature at earlier ages. Perhaps that is why they marry at age 14. This appalls most of us. We Americans have already defined the age of consent to be 16 – 19 depending on the state you live in. So Warren Jeffs is pimpin’ children to old men. That’s just sick! Or is it just the norm for that society?

Freedom of religion. That is what we’re talking about. That is one of the primary principles upon which this country was founded. Should the government be able to dictate morality? What laws has this man broken? According to his beliefs, he is innocent.

No I am not a sympathizer. I believe that Warren Jeffs probably took his father’s kingdom and through power hungry drunkenness and greed, proceeded to pervert and exploit the fundamentals of his religion. Once he told a young girl that she must have sex with her (much older) husband or she could sacrifice her salvation. Some would say that this is a form of psychological or physical abuse, and that is why he is facing charges today.

LNTV Video Report

Public Stoning: Not Just for the Taliban Anymore

It's impossible to escape the religious tyranny in a theocratic society. It seems no matter where you go, there are god people trying to convince everyone that they are right. What's worse is the organized religious groups that have snowballed into very powerful lobbyists and activists for the sake of spreading their beliefs amongst the public sector including the government. I wish the non-religious (sane) people had such power. Every time someone dares mention that maybe the ten commandments shouldn't be hanging in a county courthouse, or maybe creationism isn't science class material, they are immediately labeled as evil, and the stoning begins.

Here is an interesting article about the trend towards religion in politics. It's pretty scary to think this is really going on in a 'free' society.

Tough Talk, Wimp!

The big bad creation/intelligent design advocate, William Dembski, made some pretty bold statements about how evolutionists are too chicken to testify in court about terms such as 'science', 'nature', etc. Then when time came to tell the truth, he withdrew from the case. Read an excerpt here.

Amazing Sand Painting

New sport

In Bookstores Today

Intense investigation into the wicked worldwide powers and their ties to the Bush clan

This investigative account details how America's economic and intelligence associations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan led to the devastating September 11 attacks and illustrates the role that private military companies are playing in George W. Bush's "new world order." Based on personal interviews, never-before-published classified documents, and extensive research, this examination details the criminal forces thought to rule the world today—the Bush cartel, Russian-Ukranian-Israeli mafia, and Wahhabist Saudi terror financiers—revealing links between these groups and disastrous terrorist events.

Wayne Madsen is an investigative journalist and syndicated columnist whose articles have appeared in publications such as In These Times, The Miami Herald, and The Village Voice. He is the author of Genocide and Covert Operations in Africa 1993–1999 and The Handbook of Personal Data Protection. A former U.S. naval officer, he has appeared on 20/20, 60 Minutes, and Nightline. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.

The 'C' Word

The "C" Word
By Bill Zide
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Tuesday 13 June 2006

No, not that word.

Once upon a time there were real "Conservatives." They believed in fiscal and political responsibility. They expounded on the virtues of getting government out of people's lives. They talked about caution with regard to the use of military force and foreign intervention. They even promoted a policy of governmental accountability. Many of these people existed in the Republican Party. They might have been off track, behind the curve possibly, or at times deluded, but most tended to be civil, honorable and sincere. They were more often than not the necessary loyal opposition.

Now, "Conservative" has become a particularly dirty word. Worse yet, it seems to be heading toward becoming totally meaningless altogether. Once, the root of the word "Conservative" was "conserve," a word that implied caution and preservation. Now, it seems that this new brand of "Neo-" or "Theo-Conservative" that populates the rank and file of the current GOP leadership has put the "con" back into "conservative." They are more about being against things than being for anything real or substantive. It's all about the "Con": Conceal. Conceit. Concoct. Condescend. Congest. Confabulate. Confederacy. Contradictory. Conformity. Confound. Confrontational. Confused. Conglomerates. Conjecture. Conquest. Conflagration. Conflict. Condemn. Convicted. Con-men. Consolidation. Conspiracy. Consume. Contorted. Contrivance. Control. And, always, always - Contributions.

Interestingly, the "cons" missing from their agenda and concept of the world include: Concern. Contraception. Constitution. Consistency. Conscience. Contriteness. And, always, always - Consequences.

I thought this article was interesting so you can read the rest of it here if you wish.

Mass Superstitious Lunacy

We had a 'hell' of a storm at our house this morning. The power went out at 6:00. There were tree limbs all over the road. One huge limb fell on a neighbor's new Cadilac crushing the roof severely. The power was still out when I left for work at 7:30. So today the clocks are stuck at 6 on 6/6/06. Isn't that scary? If you think it is anything other than pure coincidence you should read this.

A Good Start With Grampy.

This is the respect I get around the house. I'm glad my four month old grandson feels comfortable enough with me to show me how he really feels.
I swear this photo is untouched. I was holding him and my wife said, "He's flipping you off!" She's quick with the camera.
Riley is a cool kid. Everytime he sees me he grins and sometimes giggles. Maybe he knows something!
We are so glad to be able to help him get off to a good start.

How To Eat A Mango

"If the same verse keeps repeating we must be stuck in a groove. Or, if we are stuck in a groove we will keep hearing the same verse."

I love the smell and taste of a plump fresh mango. But for most of my life I would not buy or eat them. Why? I really never thought about it. Then one day someone bought me a mango (my wife). Here's the secret.

Slice the mango length ways close to the seed. Now cut that slice half way lengthwise. Now simply peel the skin back on either side of the slice with your fingers and teeth as you eat the pulp. Now repeat the process with the other side of the mango.

Now you are left with a mango with the two sides cut and eaten. Now simply peel the skin from around the mango and eat around the seed. Not quite as simple as eating an apple but worth the effort. Now I eat mangos whenever I can.

Not much of a secret was it? I wonder how often we are held back in life because we never stop to think about what we do?

Most of what we are is the product of the genes we inherited, the behavior we observed from our parents, and our experiences as we grow and mature through life. If we eat something and then get sick, we may never eat that food again even though it had nothing to do with being sick. We all develop prejudices that hold us back from experiencing life to its fullest.

Life can be seen as overcoming the prejudices we are taught by our parents, our experiences, our friends, our governments, the media, our church and in fact by nearly everything in our existence. How do we overcome this training? Be open to learning to eat a mango.

The Many Faces of Me

Noteworthy Blogger

This is one of the funniest blogs I've ever read. I don't know if he is trying to be funny though. I think we should do everything possible to help Evan with his Unlikely Ambitions. Good luck getting punched by a priest!

The Official OU Statement on Evolution

Read this article. I thought their stance was articulated very nicely.

Bush - How Embarrassing!

I thought you guys would be interested to see this picture. I feel like telling the world the same thing. Hopefully Dubya hasn't done irreparable damage to the American reputation worldwide.

Caught In The Act!

This large bunny was caught hiding eggs and distributing baskets of candy to small children. Legend has it that every year a giant rabbit visits millions of homes on this day. Could the stories be true. One thing is for sure, that's one big hare!

Let's see how this works.

I decided that I need a place to store really cool articles that won't go away like the ones that I link to CNN do. Somehow some of my links in previous posts go away. Maybe Bush is behind this? Read More

300 Million Year Old Rock

By Lauren Becker

The summer before my senior year of college I worked as a park ranger guiding hikes in one of the most beautiful state parks in the country. Its central feature was a 256-foot waterfall that plunged down through a gorgeous natural amphitheater, cutting through bands of limestone and sandstone and collecting in a deep pool, the perfect hangout for summer swimming. My favorite program was the hike to the base of the falls. Layers of rock are like chapters in a history book and this canyon, carved so deeply, told an ancient story. Standing at the bottom, calling out over the roar of the falls, I got to teach the exciting conclusion, “The layers of slate and shale beneath our feet tell us that 300 million years ago, this deciduous forest was a tropical jungle.”

“What book d’ya get that out of?” came the reply one day. And thus it began, for this waterfall was not only located in ancient rock, it was also in the heart of the Bible-belt. I had heard there were people who believed the Earth was only 6,000 years old, but I never thought I would actually meet any. That summer, and every other summer I worked teaching science to the public, I met a lot of them. Though most objectors would just walk away from the program, some mothers would cover their children’s ears to protect them from the “blasphemous park ranger.” One man, after I patiently explained how we know the age of rocks, finally just threw up his hands, exclaimed, “The Devil made that rock look that old to turn you away from God,” and led his family back up the trail.

At the time, to a college kid with a summer job, these responses seemed bizarre but relatively harmless – they were local, “everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs”, “no skin off my back”, “whatever”… But now, 15 years later, I understand these taunts to be the threat they truly are: dangerous beliefs made more dangerous because more and more people believe them.

How does believing a 300 million year-old rock is only 6,000 years old become dangerous? It is a reflection of where and how we find answers. A 300 million year-old rock is the answer resulting from decades of observation, research, field study, laboratory testing, comparative studies and critical thinking. A 6,000 year old rock is the answer because God said so.

Is the accurate age of a rock really important? Interesting, yes, but important? Maybe not. But what if the question is about Polio? Should we seek an answer from decades of observation, research and field study, discover a vaccine and destroy a worldwide plague or does the answer lie in God’s plan?

To Read more of this article visit: http://www.csicop.org/intelligentdesignwatch/rocks.html

Lauren Becker is a science interpreter who has taught at museums and parks around the country. She is Public Relations Assistant for the Center for Inquiry.

Expired Medication

Is it a ploy created by the big pharmaceutical companies to scare consumers into buying more medication when the bottle expires? Are medicines safe to use beyond thier printed 'use by' date? Some say yes. I recently recieved email from a friend stating that many medications can be used long after the expiration date if kept cool. He may be right but there is some controversy about this topic. Below is my response to my friends email.

Friends,

I would be concerned about using prescribed medication after the expiration date. An article on Associated Content says that the expiration dates on pharmaceuticals are based on the medicines ability to be effective. Exposure to various environmental conditions such as light as well as temperature can be variable factors on shelf life. However controversial this topic is, I don't think it is a ploy by the pharmaceutical companies to sell more product. Many disposal programs for drug stores include a credit for returned expired drugs. Below is an excerpt from the article that I found.

"No one knows for sure if expired medications are safe. A consumer-oriented version of the Pentagon shelf-life program - which would check the actual life span of prescription drugs stored in bathrooms, kitchens, purses and cars - has never been done. "Currently, I am not aware of any programs that focus on drug stability in the consumer environment," said Dr. Claudia Okeke, an associate director at the U.S. Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Md."

Read the whole article here.

I have heard about dollar stores selling toothpaste that is expired or manufactured in other countries, but that is a different topic altogether. Read snopes story.

This time my vote counted!

“It was a very tight race in District 5, with incumbent Bill Martinson defeating John Kirby by just 21 votes.”

The reason I voted for Republican Bill Martinson instead of Democrat John Kirby is because on Kirby’s website he listed as his accomplishments his active church membership and volunteer time with the youth fellowship of his church. I’m not against someone being involved in church and definitely applaud efforts to help youth organizations, but to list your religious accomplishments in your campaign platform is a good indication that he has no idea about separation of church and state.

So now my question is, if the guy I voted for is a screw-up, do I still get to bitch?